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Willow, a small farmer/apprentice magician, meets Madmartigan, a great swordsman, and together they journey through a war-torn land of magic and monsters, to save a baby princess from death at the hands of an evil queen.
Val Kilmer: Madmartigan
If you want a film which invokes memories of childhood, the late 80s, and magical fantastical escapism on a personal level, then Willow is one I remember quite easily. Ron Howard directs a piece which takes lengths in equal measure to charm and tantalise in a way that's special, yet blends a story by George Lucas with a charismatic Screenplay from Bob Dolman. The script and characters speak for themselves, with all that Willow equals, the charm and likeability lies with imaginative material.
Willow may be the loveliest film to ever be conceived by Director Ron Howard, because it has characters and creatures we can all relate to and love, even on the hundredth viewing.
The cast which was assembled were pretty fresh and unknown back in 1988, Willow equals memorable characters galore thanks to some iconic ways it divulges.
Who can forget a young unknown Val Kilmer as Madmartigan? The loveable warrior hero whom falls for Joanne Whalley's beautiful yet conflicted Sorsha, daughter of the evil Queen. Warwick Davis as Willow Ufgood plays the unlikeliest of heroes, in a decade pre-ring era, putting Warwick first for playing some varied characters, Willow joins the ranks. Jean Marsh playing the main villain excels as Queen Bavmorda, whom actually makes evil look so good. She embodies the part thus being a character whom you
love to hate.
Kevin Pollak and Rick Overton add humour and comedy with the duo, Rool and Franjean.
''I am the greatest swordsman that ever lived. Say, um, can I have some of that water?''
The magical quality Willow exudes doesn't just come from it's wondrous characters, magical creatures, fantasy bonified locations...But also from it's score and music from James Horner. The music and sounds compliment the Cinematography by Adrian Biddle in everyway. It's pragmatically awesome and magnificent reminiscent of a marriage and union between lovers.
Filmed in UK, Wales, and New Zealand it makes the most of showing beauty in it's humble little way. When we have a chase scene we feel the vibe and excitement through the turbulent music and luscious environments used.
In fact, Willow makes you feel the romance, when Sorsha and Madmartigan share a flicker of love, it doesn't just melt their hearts, it melts ours too.
When Willow is sliding down a snowy mountain, we are exhilarated, similarly to the fight involving a monster birthed from a watery moat.
Overall, Willow may not be regarded as a perfect story or film but it's simplicity and fun nature regarding escapism, seems perfect to me.
Nature, fantasy and a simple story of good and evil is all that is needed to be known prior to watching Willow. Over-complicating a mirrored parody isn't always a case for prioritising necessity, when in fact the magic comes truly from the experience and enjoyment the adventure brings with it's magical journey, it's romantic entanglement, and fantastical nature.
A true must for imaginative fantasy fans whom love escapism and art brought to life, in their films. Willow satisfies fans and garners new ones whom experience it's simple magic.
''All creatures of good heart need your help, Willow. The choice is yours.''
8/10
